Thoracic aortic dissection associated with involvement by small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a possible underappreciated risk factor?

Cardiovasc Pathol. 2020 Mar-Apr:45:107179. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2019.107179. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Abstract

We report a case of a 77-year-old man with small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) thought to be in remission who developed an acute type A thoracic aortic dissection despite no known risk factors for aortic dissection. Surgical pathology evaluation of the aorta specimen removed at surgery showed direct lymphocytic infiltration of the aortic adventitia and media in the region of the aortic dissection. The potential causative role and pathophysiologic mechanisms of SLL/CLL in aortic dissection are discussed.

Keywords: Aorta; Aortic dissection; Lymphoma; SLL/CLL; Thoracic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / etiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Dissection / etiology*
  • Aortic Dissection / pathology
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery
  • Aortography
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome